"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme
Court is handling its job?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

6/10-14/15

41

40

19

5/31 - 6/4/13

44

40

16

3/20-24/13

44

38

18

7/11-16/12

41

41

18

5/31 - 6/3/12

44

36

20

"In general, do you think the current Supreme Court is
too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?"

Too
liberal

Too
conservative

About
right

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

6/10-14/15

27

22

35

16

"In general, do you think the current U.S. Supreme Court
justices decide their cases based on legal analysis without regard to their
own personal or political views, or do you think they sometimes let their
own personal or political views influence their decisions?"

Just legal
analysis

Personal,
political
views

Depends
(vol.)

Unsure/
No answer

%

%

%

%

6/10-14/15

16

75

2

7

5/31 - 6/4/13

20

68

3

9

5/31 - 6/3/12

13

76

4

7

"When the Supreme Court decides an important
constitutional case, should it only consider the legal issues, or should it
also consider what the majority of the public thinks about that subject?"

"We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in
the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or
unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts."

Favorable

Unfavorable

Heard of/
No opinion

Never
heard of

%

%

%

%

5/29-31/15

33

24

16

27

6/28 - 7/1/12

41

24

14

21

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme
Court is handling its job?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

5/29-31/15

52

41

7

6/11-13/13

48

48

4

6/28 - 7/1/12

53

43

4

4/13-15/12

50

41

9

"For each of the following issues, please say how much
you trust the U.S. Supreme Court to handle them. Do you trust the Supreme
Court to handle that a great deal, a moderate amount, just some or not at
all? ..."

"Please tell me if you completely agree, mostly agree,
mostly DISagree or completely disagree with the following statement: Blacks
and other minorities receive equal treatment as whites in the criminal
justice system."

"We'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in
the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or
unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts."

Favorable

Unfavorable

Heard of/
No opinion

Never
heard of

%

%

%

%

6/28 - 7/1/12

41

24

14

21

Democrats

51

12

14

23

Independents

39

26

13

22

Republicans

30

38

16

16

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme
Court is handling its job?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

6/28 - 7/1/12

53

43

4

Democrats

73

24

3

Independents

53

43

5

Republicans

31

65

4

"In general, do you think the current Supreme Court is
too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?"

"Which opinion comes closer to your own? Appointing
Supreme Court justices for life is a good thing because it helps keep them
independent from political pressures. OR, Appointing Supreme Court justices
for life is a bad thing because it gives them too much power."

"I am going to read you a list of institutions in
American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in
each one: a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little? What about the
U.S. Supreme Court?"

A great
deal

Quite a lot

Some

Very little

None (vol.)

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

%

2/29 - 3/5/12

10

13

47

26

3

1

"Next, I'd like to ask you some questions about the U.S.
Supreme Court. In general, do you think the current Supreme Court is too
liberal, too conservative, or just about right?"

"Next I'd like to ask you some questions about the U.S.
Supreme Court. Do you think the Supreme Court justices usually decide their
cases based on legal analysis without regard to politics and ideology, or do
you think they sometimes let their own ideological views influence their
decisions?"

"As you may know, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to
hear arguments next year on President Obama's health care law. Do you think
that the Court should or should not allow television cameras into the
courtroom when they hear arguments in this case?"

"What about the U.S. Supreme Court? In general, do you
approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

6/20-21/11

47

34

19

"How closely would you say that you follow major
decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court: very closely, somewhat closely, not
very closely, or don't you really follow them at all?"

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not very
closely

Not at all

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

6/20-21/11

15

54

22

8

1

"Some people say that the courts should strictly follow
the original intent of the founding fathers -- that the federal government
should be permitted to do ONLY what's exactly spelled out in the
Constitution or was the intent of the framers of the Constitution. Others
say that times have changed and that the Court should interpret the
Constitution based upon changes in society, technology, and the U.S. role in
the world. Which comes closest to your view if you had to choose: only
what's exactly spelled out in the Constitution, or interpretations based on
changes in society?"

Spelled out/
Intent of
the framers

Based on
changes in
society

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

6/20-21/11

41

54

4

"Would you say that Supreme Court decisions over the past
few years have been too conservative, too liberal, or about right?"

"Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should base its
rulings on its understanding of what the U.S. Constitution meant as it was
originally written, or should the court base its rulings on its
understanding of what the U.S. Constitution means in current times?" Options rotated

"Do you think the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court
have an impact on your daily life, or do you think that the decisions of the
U.S. Supreme Court don't really affect your daily life?"

Have an
impact

Don't
really affect

Unsure

%

%

%

8/11-16/10

72

26

2

"Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court justices usually
decide their cases based on legal analysis without regard to partisan
politics, or do you think they sometimes let their own partisan political
views influence their decisions?"

"How closely would you say you have been following news
about the appointment of U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S.
Supreme Court: very closely, somewhat closely, not very closely, or not at
all closely?"

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not very
closely

Not at all
closely

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

7/9-12/10

8

33

28

30

1

"What do you think right now? Should the Senate vote to
confirm Elena Kagan as a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, or vote against
Kagan, or can't you say?"

"As you may know, Obama has nominated U.S. Solicitor
General Elena Kagan to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Do you think the
U.S. Senate should or should not confirm Kagan's nomination to the Supreme
Court?"

"I'm going to read you the names of several individuals.
Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion
of each one. If you've never heard of someone, please just say so. Elena
Kagan."

Favorable

Unfavorable

Can't say

Never
heard of

%

%

%

%

6/29-30/10

24

17

19

40

"President Obama has nominated Elena Kagan to serve on
the U.S. Supreme Court. If you were voting on Kagan's nomination, would you
vote to confirm her or not?"

Confirm

Not confirm

Unsure

%

%

%

6/29-30/10

38

36

26

Democrats

64

12

25

Republicans

12

61

27

Independents

38

35

27

5/18-19/10

39

29

33

Democrats

57

11

32

Republicans

21

51

28

Independents

36

25

39

"President Obama has already had the opportunity to fill
two of the nine seats on the U.S. Supreme Court because of retirements. Four
justices are currently over 70 years old. Would you rather they retire while
President Obama is in office so he can nominate more justices, or would you
rather they wait until his successor takes office and not give President
Obama that opportunity?"

"As you may know, Barack Obama recently nominated Elena
Kagan to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. Do you strongly support,
somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose Elena Kagan's serving
as a justice on the Supreme Court, or do you not know enough about her to
say?"

"What do you think is more likely to occur during the
Senate confirmation hearings for Kagan: a relatively easy process in which
Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement, or a major fight between
Republicans and Democrats that would drag on for a long time?"

"As you may know, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
is retiring, and President Obama has nominated Elena Kagan to replace him.
Is your opinion of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan favorable, unfavorable,
or haven't you heard enough about Elena Kagan yet to have an opinion?"

Favorable

Unfavorable

Haven't
heard
enough

%

%

%

6/9-14/10

20

17

63

"Do you think the U.S. Senate should confirm or should
not confirm Elena Kagan as a Supreme Court justice?"

"As you may know, Obama has nominated U.S. Solicitor
General Elena Kagan to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Do you think the
U.S. Senate should or should not confirm Kagan's nomination to the Supreme
Court?"

Should

Should not

Unsure

%

%

%

6/3-6/10

58

24

18

"At her confirmation hearing, do you think Kagan should
or should not answer questions about how she would have ruled on past cases
that have come before the Supreme Court?" Half sample

Should

Should not

Unsure

%

%

%

6/3-6/10

66

29

5

"Do you think Kagan should or should not publicly state
her position on abortion before being approved by the U.S. Senate for the
job?"Half sample

"Based on what you have heard or read about Elena Kagan,
do you think she is among the most qualified people who could serve on the
Supreme Court, is she qualified to serve on the Supreme Court but many
others are more qualified, or is she not qualified to serve on the Supreme
Court?"

Among most
qualified

Qualified

Not qualified

Unsure

%

%

%

%

5/21-23/10

15

63

19

4

"Thinking about Elena Kagan's background, does each of
the following make you more likely to support her nomination, does it make
no difference to you, or does it make you less likely to support her
nomination? ..."

More likely
to support

No
difference

Less likely
to support

Unsure

%

%

%

%

"She has worked closely with
Barack Obama on legal issues"

5/21-23/10

26

44

30

1

"When she was a law school
dean, she barred military recruiters from campus because the U.S. did not
allow openly gay people to serve in the military"

5/21-23/10

19

40

39

1

"She is a woman"

5/21-23/10

16

80

5

-

"Her views on most major
issues are not known"

5/21-23/10

9

37

53

1

"She has never served as a
judge"

5/21-23/10

8

40

52

1

"From what you know about Elena Kagan, as a Supreme Court justice, do you
think she would be too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?"
N=524 (Form A), MoE
±
4.5

Too liberal

Too
conservative

Just about
right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

5/21-23/10

40

6

50

4

"Based on what you have heard or read about her, do you
think Elena Kagan's views on important issues are in the mainstream or do
you think they are too extreme?"
N=499 (Form B), MoE
±
4.5

"Should senators support or oppose Elena Kagan's
nomination to the Supreme Court based only on whether she is qualified to be
a justice, or should they also consider her views on controversial issues
like abortion and gay marriage?"

Qualifications
only

Also views
on issues

Unsure

%

%

%

5/19-24/10

43

43

14

"If senators did not agree with Elena Kagan on
controversial issues like abortion and gay marriage, do you think they would
be justified, or not justified in using the filibuster to prevent her
nomination from coming to a vote?"

"From what you know about Elena Kagan, would you say she
is more of a liberal, or a conservative?"
Options rotated

Liberal

Conservative

Moderate
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

46

10

7

37

"Overall, do you think Elena Kagan is qualified to serve
as a justice on the Supreme Court or not?"

Qualified

Not qualified

Unsure

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

45

26

29

"Do you think the Senate will confirm Elena Kagan or
not?"

Will

Will not

Unsure

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

70

8

22

"Do you think Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has been
treated fairly or unfairly by the press?"

Fairly

Unfairly

Unsure

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

50

23

27

"Do you think the public has the right to know about the
private life of anyone nominated to the Supreme Court?"

Does

Does not

Unsure

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

61

34

4

"Do you think all Supreme Court justices should have
prior experience as a judge or is it a good idea if some Supreme Court
justices don't have prior experience as a judge?"

All should
have
experience

Good if some
don't have
experience

Doesn't
matter
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

5/18-19/10

62

28

7

3

"How do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should interpret
the Constitution? No matter what the outcome, the court should follow what
the Framers meant when they wrote the Constitution. If necessary, the court
should ignore what the Framers meant to reach the outcome it feels is
appropriate for today."

"Would you like to see President Obama nominate a new
justice who would make the Supreme Court more liberal than it currently is,
more conservative than it currently is, or who would keep the Court as it is
now?"

More
liberal

More
conservative

Keep as it
is now

Unsure

%

%

%

%

5/3-6/10

27

42

24

6

"Which of the following best describes your view about
whether the next Supreme Court justice is [see below]? Do you think
it is essential that the next justice is [see below], is it a good
idea but not essential, does it not matter to you, or do you think it is a
bad idea?"

Essential

A good idea,
not essential

Doesn't
matter

A bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

"A woman"

5/3-6/10

4

20

72

3

1

5/7-10/09

6

26

64

3

1

10/28-30/05

14

33

50

2

1

9/26-28/05

14

29

55

1

1

"Hispanic"

5/3-6/10

1

12

76

9

1

5/7-10/09

1

21

68

8

1

9/26-28/05

3

23

69

4

1

"Black"

5/3-6/10

1

13

82

3

1

5/7-10/09

1

21

74

3

1

9/26-28/05

5

21

71

2

1

"As you may know, when Justice John Paul Stevens retires, none of the
eight remaining Supreme Court justices will be of a Protestant religion.
Which best describes your view about whether John Paul Stevens' replacement
on the Supreme Court is Protestant? Do you think it is essential that the
next justice is Protestant, is it a good idea but not essential, does it not
matter to you, or do you think it is a bad idea?"
Options rotated

"Just your impression: Over the past two decades, do you
think the Supreme Court has become more conservative, become more liberal,
or has it stayed about the same?"

More
conservative

More liberal

About the
same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/21-26/10

19

28

43

10

"In making his appointments to the Supreme Court, should
President Obama nominate people who will make the court more liberal, people
who will make it more conservative, or people who will keep the court about
the same as it is now?"

More liberal

More
conservative

About the
same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/21-26/10

27

28

35

10

"How important is the president's choice of the next
Supreme Court justice to you personally: very important, somewhat important,
not too important, or not at all important?"

"Do you think the Supreme Court tends to be too
conservative or too liberal in its decisions, or is it generally balanced in
its decisions?"

Too
conservative

Too liberal

Balanced

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/22-25/10

21

26

46

7

7/18-21/07

31

18

47

4

7/05

19

22

55

4

7/95

22

22

54

3

"How comfortable are you with Barack Obama selecting
the next U.S. Supreme Court nominee: very comfortable, somewhat comfortable,
not very comfortable or not at all comfortable?"

Very
comfortable

Somewhat
comfortable

Not very
comfortable

Not at all
comfortable

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

4/22-25/10

36

29

12

21

2

"For each item I name, please tell me whether to you
personally it would be a factor in favor of a Supreme Court nominee, a
factor against a Supreme Court nominee, or not a factor one way or the
other. What if the nominee is [see below]?"

In favor

Against

Not a factor

Unsure

%

%

%

%

"A woman" Half sample (Form A)

4/22-25/10

15

3

81

1

"Gay or lesbian"Half sample (Form A)

4/22-25/10

4

25

71

0

"Protestant"Half sample (Form A)

4/22-25/10

7

5

83

4

"African-American"Half sample (Form B)

4/22-25/10

16

3

81

-

"Someone with experience as a
judge"Half sample (Form B)

4/22-25/10

70

5

24

1

"Someone with experience
outside the legal profession, for example in the field of business
or politics"Half sample (Form B)

4/22-25/10

35

26

38

1

If experience outside the
legal profession would be a factor in favor:
"Which would be preferable to you for a Supreme Court nominee: someone with
experience in business, or in politics?"

Business

Politics

Both (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/22-25/10

56

36

6

1

"The Supreme Court legalized abortion 37 years ago in the
ruling known as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again,
would you want the next justice to vote to uphold Roe versus Wade, or vote
to overturn it?" Options rotated
6/10: "The Supreme Court legalized abortion 36 years ago in the ruling known
as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again, would you want
Sotomayor to vote to uphold Roe versus Wade, or vote to overturn it?"

"Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens recently announced he will resign
at the end of his term, which will give Barack Obama his second chance to
nominate a Supreme Court justice. I'm going to read a list of qualities that
might be considered when selecting a new justice. For each one, please tell
me whether you think it should be the single most important factor, should
be a factor but not the most important, shouldn't matter, or should be a
disqualifying factor?"
Options rotated

Single most
important
factor

A factor

Shouldn't
matter

A
disqualifying
factor

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

"The nominee having served as
a judge"

4/20-21/10

20

56

20

2

2

"The nominee being a
constitutional scholar"

4/20-21/10

20

52

23

1

3

"The nominee being an
attorney"

4/20-21/10

11

49

36

2

2

"The nominee being a woman"

4/20-21/10

2

12

83

2

1

"The nominee being a minority"

4/20-21/10

2

12

82

3

1

"The nominee being a
homosexual"

4/20-21/10

1

8

73

15

3

"Would it matter to you if there weren't any justices
with a Protestant religious background on the Supreme Court?"

Yes

No

Unsure

%

%

%

4/20-21/10

27

70

3

"I'm going to read you a list of characteristics and affiliations and I'd
like you to tell me whether or not you would be comfortable with a Supreme
Court Justice who has that characteristic or affiliation. Would you be
comfortable with a justice who is [see below]
or not?"

"Do you think the United States Supreme Court is moving
in the right direction or the wrong direction?"

Right
direction

Wrong
direction

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

35

37

28

7/8-13/08

33

42

25

8/7-13/07

39

37

25

"Do you think the Supreme Court is too liberal, too
conservative, or about right?"

Too liberal

Too
conservative

About right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

29

19

40

12

7/8-13/08

25

31

33

10

8/7-13/07

20

29

37

13

2/26 - 3/3/03
Adults

19

26

46

10

"As you may know, Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring
from the Supreme Court. How confident are you that President Obama will make
the right decision about who should replace Justice Stevens on the Supreme
Court: very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not
confident at all?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not too
confident

Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

27

26

18

28

2

"Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about
who should sit on the United States Supreme Court: President Obama or the
Republicans in the United States Senate?"

President
Obama

Senate
Republicans

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

46

43

11

"Do you think President Obama's nominee to the U.S.
Supreme Court will be more liberal than you would like, not liberal enough,
or about right?"

More liberal

Not liberal
enough

About right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

42

8

42

8

"Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's
nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

52

32

16

6/23-29/09

54

26

20

5/26 - 6/1/09

55

25

20

"Which comes closer to your point of view? In making
decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original intentions of
the authors of the Constitution. OR, In making decisions, the Supreme Court
should consider changing times and current realities in applying the
principles of the Constitution."

Original
intentions

Current
realities

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

49

42

9

7/8-13/08

40

52

8

8/7-13/07

43

48

9

7/21-25/05

44

50

6

5/18-23/05

42

51

8

2/26 - 3/3/03
Adults

39

54

7

"Do you think Supreme Court justices make their decisions
solely based on the law, or do you think their political views enter into
their decisions?"

Solely
the law

Political
views

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

16

78

6

"Should senators support or oppose President Obama's
nominee to the Supreme Court based only on whether he or she is qualified to
be a justice, or should they also consider his or her views on controversial
issues like abortion and gay marriage?"

Qualifications
only

Views on
issues, too

Unsure

%

%

%

4/14-19/10

47

43

10

"If senators did not agree with President Obama's Supreme
Court nominee on controversial issues like abortion and gay marriage, do you
think they would be justified, or not justified in using the filibuster to
prevent the nomination from coming to a vote?"

"As you may know, President Obama will announce later
this year a nominee to the Supreme Court. Do you think Obama should nominate
somebody who is very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?"

Very
liberal

Somewhat
liberal

Moderate

Somewhat
conservative

Very
conservative

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

%

4/9-11/10

8

17

37

19

17

1

5/14-17/09

9

18

37

19

16

1

"And just your best guess -- do you think Obama will
nominate somebody who is very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?"

"Justices to the U.S. Supreme Court are given lifetime
appointments, which means it is completely up to the individual justice when
he or she retires. Do you think justices should continue to be allowed to
serve as long as they want, or should there be a mandatory retirement age
for Supreme Court justices?"

Serve as long
as they want

Mandatory
retirement age

Unsure

%

%

%

4/6-7/10

30

65

6

7/12-13/05

28

66

6

"If a mandatory retirement age were set for Supreme Court
justices, what do you think that age should be?" Open-ended

%

Under age 65

12

65-69

24

70-74

24

75-79

16

80-84

6

85-89

2

90 & older

2

Don't set age

7

Unsure

6

"When President Obama nominates the next justice to the
U.S. Supreme Court, do you want him to nominate someone who is more of a
liberal or someone who is more of a conservative?" Options rotated
7/05: "When President Bush nominates the next justice to the U.S. Supreme
Court...?"

More of a
liberal

More of a
conservative

Shouldn't
consider
ideology (vol.)

A moderate
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

4/6-7/10

29

52

5

7

7

7/12-13/05

25

39

8

12

16

"If Senate Republicans strongly oppose the person
President Obama nominates to be the next Supreme Court justice, do you think
they should allow an up or down vote on the nominee even if they might lose,
or draw out the debate to prevent a vote and keep the nominee from being
confirmed?"7/05: "If Senate Democrats strongly oppose the person
President Bush nominates to be the next Supreme Court justice...?"

"As you may know, Sonia Sotomayor is the federal judge
nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Would you like to see the Senate
vote in favor of Sotomayor serving on the Supreme Court, or not?"
N=506 (Form A), MoE
±
4.5

Vote in
favor

Not vote in
favor

Unsure

%

%

%

7/31 - 8/3/09

51

36

14

6/26-28/09

47

40

13

"As you may know, Sonia Sotomayor is the federal judge
who Barack Obama nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Would you like to
see the Senate vote in favor of Sotomayor serving on the Supreme Court, or
not?" N=521 (Form B), MoE
±
4.5

"Now I'm going to read you the names of several public
figures, and I'd like you to rate your feelings toward each one as either
very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative, or very
negative. If you don't know the name, please just say so. Sonia Sotomayor."

Very
positive

Somewhat
positive

Neutral

Somewhat
negative

Very
negative

Don't know
name/Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

%

7/24-27/09

16

15

22

14

13

20

6/12-15/09

13

17

24

8

8

30

"As you may know, Barack Obama recently nominated Sonia
Sotomayor to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. Do you strongly
support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose Sonia
Sotomayor's serving as a justice on the Supreme Court, or do you not know
enough about her to say?"

"I'm going to read you the names of several individuals
and institutions. Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or
unfavorable opinion of each one. If you've never heard of an individual or
institution, please just say so. Sonia Sotomayor."

Favorable

Unfavorable

Can't say

Never
heard of

%

%

%

%

7/21-22/09

41

24

19

15

6/9-10/09

36

18

25

21

"President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor to serve
on the U.S. Supreme Court. If you were voting on Sotomayor's nomination,
would you vote to confirm her or not?"

"Now, turning to the U.S. Supreme Court: As you may know,
Sonia Sotomayor is the federal judge nominated to serve on the Supreme
Court. Would you like to see the Senate vote in favor of Sotomayor serving
on the Supreme Court, or not?"

"Now, I'd like to read you a list of various national
public figures, and for each one, please tell me if you have a favorable or
unfavorable opinion of them. If you haven't heard of them, just tell me and
we'll move on. Sonia Sotomayor."

Favorable

Unfavorable

Heard of/Can't
rate (vol.)

Haven't
heard of

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

7/9-13/09

31

24

15

24

5

"On the topic of President Obama's nomination to the
Supreme Court, do you support or oppose the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor
to the Supreme Court of the United States?" Options rotated

"Next, we'd like to get your overall opinion of some
people in the news. As I read each name, lease say if you have a favorable
or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of
them. How about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor?"

Favorable

Unfavorable

Never
heard of

Unsure

%

%

%

%

7/10-12/09

38

26

19

17

5/29-31/09

43

21

15

21

"How closely are you following the news about Sonia
Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court: very closely, somewhat
closely, not too closely, or not at all?"

"What do you think right now? Should the Senate vote to
confirm Sonia Sotomayor as a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, or vote
against Sotomayor, or can't you say?"

Vote to
confirm

Vote
against

Can't say

Unsure

%

%

%

%

7/9-12/09

30

14

52

4

6/12-16/09

34

9

53

4

"How important do you think it is for there to be another
woman on the Supreme Court? Would you say it is very important, somewhat
important, not very important or not important at all?"

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not very
important

Not at all
important

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

7/9-12/09

35

31

14

18

2

"How important do you think it is for there to be a
Hispanic on the Supreme Court? Would you say it is very important, somewhat
important, not very important or not important at all?"

Very
Important

Somewhat
important

Not very
important

Not at all
important

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

7/9-12/09

21

32

20

25

2

"If Sonia Sotomayor is confirmed to sit on the Supreme
Court, do you think she will favor certain groups over others when making
her judicial decisions, or do you think she will treat all groups the same
under the law?"

"Suppose the upcoming confirmation hearings indicate that
Sonia Sotomayor is qualified and has no ethical problems. Do you think U.S.
Senators would be justified or unjustified in voting against her if they
disagree with her stance on current issues such as abortion or gun control?"

Justified

Unjustified

Unsure

%

%

%

6/26-28/09

47

49

5

"What do you think is more likely to occur during the
Senate confirmation hearings for Sotomayor: a relatively easy process in
which Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement, or a major fight
between Republicans and Democrats that would drag on for a long time?"

"As you may know, Obama has nominated federal judge Sonia
Sotomayor to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Do you think the U.S. Senate
should or should not confirm Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court?"

Should

Should not

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

62

25

13

Democrats

79

11

10

Independents

64

26

10

Republicans

36

43

21

"Given what you know, do you think Sotomayor is a more
liberal nominee than you'd have liked, less liberal than you'd have liked,
or about right?"

More liberal

Less liberal

About right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

6/18-21/09

26

8

55

12

"Do you think Sotomayor's racial and ethnic background
plays a role in the way she decides cases as a judge, or not?" If "Yes":
"Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?"

Yes: Good

Yes: Bad

No

Unsure

%

%

%

%

6/18-21/09

16

22

52

10

"Do you think the fact that Sotomayor is a woman plays
a role in the way she decides cases as a judge, or not?" If "Yes":
"Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?"

Yes: Good

Yes: Bad

No

Unsure

%

%

%

%

6/18-21/09

23

10

59

8

"The Supreme Court legalized abortion 36 years ago in the
ruling known as Roe versus Wade. If that case came before the court again,
would you want Sotomayor to vote to uphold Roe versus Wade, or vote to
overturn it?" Options rotated

"When the Senate votes on a Supreme Court nominee, should
it consider only that person's legal qualifications and background, or along
with legal background, should the Senate also consider that nominee's
personal views on major issues the Supreme Court decides?"

Legal only

Issues, too

Unsure

%

%

%

6/12-16/09

30

62

8

1/5-8/06

32

61

7

"How important is it for the members of the Supreme Court
to reflect the diverse gender, ethnic and racial make-up of the country as a
whole? Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not
important at all?"

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not too
important

Not at all
important

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

6/12-16/09

43

31

12

11

3

"How closely would you say you have been following news
about the appointment of federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor to the
U.S. Supreme Court: very closely, somewhat closely, not very closely, or not
at all?"

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not very
closely

Not at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

6/12-16/09

22

39

19

18

2

"Before senators vote on whether Sonia Sotomayor should
be confirmed as a justice of the Supreme Court, how important do you think
it is for the Senate to know her positions on issues such as abortion and
affirmative action? Is that very important, somewhat important, not very
important, or not at all important?"

"Based on what you have heard so far, do you think that
Sonia Sotomayor is qualified or not qualified to be a Supreme Court justice,
or do you not know enough about her to say?"

Qualified

Not qualified

Don't know
enough

Unsure

%

%

%

%

6/12-15/09

50

13

35

2

"How much confidence do you have that, if she is
confirmed by the Senate to sit on the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor will
reflect your views about most issues: a great deal of confidence, quite a
bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence, or no confidence
at all? If you have no opinion, please just say so."Half sample (Form A), MoE
±
4.4

A great deal

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

None at all

No opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

6/12-15/09

12

14

20

14

13

27

"Based on what you have heard, seen, or read about
Sonia Sotomayor's decisions as a judge and her personal viewpoints do you
feel that she would be within the mainstream of the Supreme Court and past
justices who have served, or outside the mainstream of the Supreme Court and
past justices who have served? If you do not know enough to have an opinion,
just say so."Half sample (Form B), MoE
±
4.4

"What is your impression of Sonia Sotomayor? Do you think
she is liberal, moderate, or conservative?"

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

Unsure

%

%

%

%

6/10-14/09

31

34

8

26

"As I read some issues the Supreme Court may rule on over
the coming years, please tell me how important each issue is to you
personally. First, are court decisions on [see below] very important,
fairly important, not too important, or not at all important to you?"